CONSTITUTION

The name of this organization shall be "National Union for Democracy in Iran."

Article 2: The Logo
The logo is a map of Iran with the flag of lion and sun appointed inside. Two doves carrying olive branches flying from east and west are embracing the map.

Article 3: Goal: To hold a transparent national referendum, with international observation, through which the people of Iran will be free to materialize their democratic aspirations and determine their future form of government in a free, fair and democratic manner.

Article 4: All the internal communications of National Union for Democracy in Iran shall be in Persian.

Organizational Structure of the National Union for Democracy in Iran: Duties and Responsibilities of its Offices.

Article 5: Organizational Structure of National Union for Democracy in Iran is as follows:
A: Official members
B: Local offices
C: Congress
D: Executive Council

Membership

Article 6: Membership in the National Union for Democracy in Iran is divided into two categories.
A: Official members
B: Honorary members

Article 7: Official member: Every Iranian national who has read and accepted the constitution and the political creed of the National Union for Democracy in Iran and has signed an application form will be considered an official member.

Article 8: Official membership in the National Union for Democracy in Iran is reserved for Iranians only.

Rider 1: Iranian is defined as anyone who was born in Iran. Or was born to an Iranian father or mother anywhere in the world and considers herself to be Iranian.

Rider 2: Those who have not been born into an Iranian family are also considered to be Iranian if they have accepted Iranian nationality.

Article 9: New members of the National Union for Democracy in Iran will be working with the closest branch.

Article 10: Duties of official members:
A: Registration at a local branch
B: Not being a member of other Iranian political organizations
C: Regular payment of monthly dues
D: Participation in the meetings
E: Active participation in one local branch of the
National Union for Democracy in Iran

Article 11: All members, except those mentioned in article 12, must pay monthly dues to their respective branches. The exact amount of dues is determined locally in accordance with the local conditions.

Article 12: Political refugees who have not yet settled are exempt from payment of dues.

Article 13: Members can ask for the financial balance sheets of expenses and incomes of their respective branches.

Article 14: Members of each branch can ask for a meeting of local general assembly. The request must be in writing and shall be signed by simple majority of the local members. (Half + One)

Article 15: Granting interviews, delivering speeches, writing articles, meeting with officials and other political leaders must be with the prior permission and under supervision of the local executive board if it is done on behalf of or as an official member of the National Union for Democracy in Iran.

Article 16: All members shall follow the rules and regulations of the National Union for Democracy in Iran. The local executive board shall reprimand any member who refuses to pay her dues, causes damage to the reputation, position or goals of the National Union for Democracy in Iran in any shape or form. The local executive board can move to suspend the said member’s membership privileges provided that two thirds of the local general assembly ratifies the move.

Article 17: The local executive board must immediately, and in less than in twenty-four hours, notify the chairperson of the central executive council. If she is not available, any other member of the central executive council must be notified of the said incident.

Rider 1: The local executive board must send the minutes of the meeting of the local general assembly along with their own assessment to the central executive council via fax or electronic means. Members of the local executive board shall sign the minutes.

Rider 2: The minutes of the said meeting shall be sent to the central executive council in less than twenty-four hours.

Article 18: In the event that the said member of the article 16 takes exception to, or protests the decision of the local executive board, the said member can appeal that decision within three days of her suspension to the central executive council.

Article 19: If the said member violates the rules and regulations or causes damage to the reputation and goals of the National Union for Democracy in Iran, for a second time, the central executive council is authorized to permanently revoke her membership provided that it follows due process and considers all her membership rights.

Article 20: Honorary members:
Non-Iranians who are providing services or are contributing to the goals of the National Union for Democracy in Iran are entitled to become honorary members.

Article 21: Duties of honorary members
Honorary members neither can elect nor be elected to any office of the National Union for Democracy in Iran.
A: They can participate in the meetings
B: They can participate in the activities,
demonstrations and protests.

Organizational Structure of Local Branches

In order to realize the goals of the National Union for Democracy in Iran local branches have been organized and trusted with the following duties.

Article 22: Local branches shall promote the goals of and actively recruit members for the National Union for Democracy in Iran.

Article 23: Local branches are comprised of the following pillars.
A: Local general assembly
B: Local executive board
C: Local committees

Local general assembly

Article 24: Local general assembly is the highest local authority.

Article 25: Local general assembly is comprised of all local branch members and shall hold annual meeting at the branch location.

Article 26: All decisions of the local general assembly are ratified by the simple majority vote. (Half + One)

Article 27: Duties of the local general assembly:
A: Appointment of the Chairperson
B: Announcements of the directives of the central executive board
C: Presentation of the annual report by the local executive board and respected committees
D: Review of the activities of the previous year
E: Presentation of financial report by the finance committee
F: Setting policies for the local branch
G: Election of the local executive board for the upcoming year and intruding the new board to the central executive council
H: Completion of membership in the local committees
I: Debate and negotiation on any other matter that has been proposed by other members provided that ten percent of the present members support the motion.
J: Sending of the minutes of the meeting to the central executive council.

Rider 1: The committee chairs are elected by all members. Members shall then voluntarily choose committees to belong to and become active participants of. The committee members shall decide the frequency of their respected committee meeting in accordance with their own needs.

Article 31: The members of the local executive board shall elect one person as secretary and introduce her to the central executive council.

Article 32: The presence of simple majority of the local executive board is necessary to officiate the meeting and for ratification of decisions.

Article 33: The local executive board is authorized to call for a local general assembly for consultation.

Article 34: The policies and decisions of the local executive board can be discussed and criticized in local general assemblies.

Article 35: The local executive board shall hold at least one meeting per month with the members to present the committee reports and to consult with the members.

Article 36: Local executive boards shall be in continual communication with the central executive council. The decisions and policies of the central executive council shall have priority over the local decisions.

Article 37: The local executive board is comprised of the five elected members. The two stand-in members shall not participate in the voting procedures.

Article 38: Members of the local branch shall have been a member of the National Union for Democracy in Iran for at least one year before becoming eligible to serve at the local executive board.

Article 39: Local executive boards shall send a financial report to the central executive council at least once a year.

Duties of the Local Committees

Article 40: Duties of the general secretary
A: Holding the weekly meetings of the local executive board
B: Chair the weekly meetings
C: Distribution of tasks and responsibilities based on duties of the committees
D: Communication of the directives issued by central executive council to the local executive board
E: Oversee the activities of the branch
F: Continual communication with the central executive council
G: Issue and sign membership cards

Article 41: Duties of the foreign affairs committee chair
Initiate and establish relations with the media, and all other sectors of the host country including the government to communicate all matters relating to Iran’s democratic movement. In addition:
A: All local communications with the local institutions
B: Establish connections and communicate with the political parties, groups, and NGOs of the host country
C: Establish connections and communicate with the host country’s media at the local level
D: Establish connections and communicate with local personalities such as university professors and political activists
E: Follow the local news and media analysis regarding Iran and report them to the central executive council
F: Introduce the National Union for Democracy in Iran to the citizen of the host country
G: Continual communication with other chairs of foreign affairs committees within the National Union for Democracy in Iran
H: Educating the citizens of the host country about Iran
I: Research on the policies of the host country with regards to Iran
J: Promoting the democratic ideals of the people of Iran in the host country
K: Writing articles in the language of the host country for publication in local papers and also the web site of the National Union for Democracy in Iran
L: Granting interviews to the media in the host country
M: Production of audio video materials for educating the public in the host country

Article 42: Duties of the internal affairs committee chair
Maintain the communications with members inside Iran. Initiate and establish relations with the Iranian media and Iranians residing in the host country. In addition:
A: All communications with the local Iranian community
B: Communication with the Iranian organizations for cooperation on political and social matters
C: Establish connections and communicate with the local Iranian media
D: Establish connections and communicate with local Iranian personalities such as university professors and Iranian political activists
E: Follow the local news written in Persian language and local Persian media and report them to the central executive council
F: Introduce the National Union for Democracy in Iran to the local Persian community
G: Continual communication with other chairs of internal affairs committees within the National Union for Democracy in Iran
H: Educating the Iranian community on Iran’s political developments
I: Research on the policies of the Islamic regime
J: Promoting the Iranian democratic movement within the local Iranian community
K: Writing articles in Persian for the Local Persian media and also for the National Union for Democracy in Iran’s web site
L: Granting interviews to the Persian media
M: Production of audio video materials for educating the Iranians
N: Gathering of the news regarding Iran and sending them to the central executive council

Article 43: Duties of the logistics committee chair
A: Holding educational meetings for the community and for recruitment
B: Arranging for the celebrations and gathering of Iranians
C: Preparations for demonstrations and protest
D: Arranging for the speeches and educational meetings
E: Arranging for rental of lecture halls and the travel of participants
F: Production of the brochures and banners
G: Continual communication with other chairs of the logistics committees within the National Union for Democracy in Iran

Article 44: Duties of the finance committee chair
A: Maintaining a bank
B: Management of the financial affairs of the local branch
C: Collecting monthly dues from members of the local branch
D: Fundraising under the strict supervision of the central executive council
E: Sending the financial statement of the branch to the central executive council every three months

Article 45: All the checks and other financial documents must be signed by the finance committee chair

Article 46: Duties of the secretary of the executive board
A: Preparation of the minutes of the meetings of the executive board
B: Secure the signatures of the executive board for the minutes
C: Maintaining an active file of the minutes of the meetings and other documents of the local branch

Article 47: Stand-in members of the executive board
In the event of resignation, impeachment, incapacitation or death of a member of the executive board the stand-in member with the highest number of votes will take her place
Rider 1: In the event that the vacancy is for the position of the secretary general of the executive board, the stand-in member will not automatically fill that vacancy. The new general secretary of the executive board will be chosen from the remaining four members and the stand-in member

Congress of the National Union for Democracy in Iran

Article 48: the congress of the National Union for Democracy in Iran is the highest authority and must convene once every year.

Article 49: The Congress of the National Union for Democracy in Iran is comprised of the members of the local executive boards from all branches.

Article 50: all voting and ratification of policies requires a simple majority in the Congress except the changing of the constitution that requires a two third majority.

Article 51: The members of the Congress are responsible to attend the annual meeting.

Article 52: Duties of the Congress of the National Union for Democracy in Iran
A: Review of the activities of the previous year
B: Review of the financial statements of the National Union for Democracy in Iran
C: Presentation of the reports and consultations with the local executive boards
D: Presentation of the report of the central executive council
E: Election of the central executive council every two years for a two-year term
F: Issuance and formulation of the resolution of the Congress

Central Executive Council

Article 53: The central executive council is comprised of seven to nine members who have been elected by the Congress for a two-year term.

Article 54: The central executive council is responsible for coordination, cohesion, management and setting policies of the National Union for Democracy in Iran. It is authorized to identify and employ the advisement of respected political leaders as the political office of the National Union for Democracy in Iran

Article 55: The members of the central executive council will choose one or two persons as the spokespersons of the National Union for Democracy in Iran

Article 56: Duties and jurisdiction of the central executive council:
The central executive council is responsible for setting out and implementation of the policies of the National Union for Democracy in Iran.

Article 57: In addition to setting policies and implementing them, the central executive council is responsible to oversee and supervise the activities of all branches and to actively expand and establish new branches inside and outside of Iran.

Article 58: Additional duties and responsibilities of the central executive council:
A: Responsible for the management of the website both from technical aspects and editorial contents
B: Political education of the members
C: Setting up and formulating the slogans and press releases
D: Setting up policies of cooperation with other Iranian political organizations
E: Supervision of and implementation of weekly conference calls of the members

Article 59: The central executive council shall elect one person from its own members to be in continual communication with the local branches

Article 60: The central executive council has the authority to call for a meeting of the Congress of the National Union for Democracy in Iran.

Article 61: Members of the central executive council will choose, from among their own members, five officers for the following tasks:
A: Chairperson
B: Logistics director
C: Director of communications
D: Finance director
E: Secretary

Article 62: The central executive council has the authority to delegate tasks and distribute responsibilities and duties according to their needs and resources.

Article 63: Duties of the chair of the executive council
A: Representative of the National Union for Democracy in Iran
B: First spokesperson of the National Union for Democracy in Iran
C: Participation in and management of the meetings of the central executive council
D: Setting up the time and location of the meetings of the Congress of the National Union for Democracy in Iran
E: Supervision of the affairs and activities of the local branches
F: Setting up new branches of the National Union for Democracy in Iran
G: The chair of the central executive council is responsible to notify the members of the Congress three months before the convention of the date and location of the Congress
H: Responsible for communicating with and seeking avenues of cooperation with other organizations
I: Establish communication with the governments of the host countries

Article 64: Duties of the director of logistics
A: Procurement of all materials for the National Union for Democracy in Iran and coordination among all the local logistics committees
B: Producing events and celebrations for the National Union for Democracy in Iran
C: Arranging for the speeches and educational gatherings

Article 65: Duties of the director of communications
A: Setting up interviews with the media
B: Producing public relations events

Article 66: Duties of the director of finance
A: Supervision of the bank account
B: Receive and monitor the financial statements from local branches
C: Fund raising
D: Coordination of the financial affairs of the local branches

Article 67: Duties of the secretary of the central executive council
A: Preparation of the minutes of the meetings of the central executive council
B: Receive the reports of the local secretaries from all branches
C: Coordination of local secretaries at the branches
D: Maintaining an active file of the minutes of the meetings, membership forms, correspondences and other documents of the National Union for Democracy in Iran

Article 68: With the consent of the central executive council, any nine members of the National Union for Democracy in Iran can qualify as a new branch in a distinct city or locality.

Article 69: The members of the new branch shall immediately hold elections for local executive board in accordance with the constitution.

Article 70: The central executive council shall censure any branch that has caused damage to the reputation, position or goals of the National Union for Democracy in Iran in any shape or form and if deemed necessary, hold a meeting of the Congress to review the matter.

Article 71: The Congress is authorized to move to revoke the membership privileges of members who have caused the damage provided that two thirds of the members of the Congress ratify the motion.

Article 72: The local branch shall hold new elections if the revocation of membership includes members of the local executive board.

Article 73: If the membership in the branch that has been subjected to the article 70 drops below the minimum number of nine, then the remaining members will join the most appropriate branch.

Article 74: Any changes to this constitution must be ratified by two third majority of the Congress of the National Union for Democracy in Iran. It can only be initiated by the ten percent of the members of the Congress or the central executive council.

This constitution was ratified on Friday January seventh in the year of two thousand and five.

Articles of Amendment

Article 2 of the constitution was amended to read that a seal, which is the map of Iran with the flag of sun and lion appointed inside, being held by two wheat branches and being carried by two doves from east and west.